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The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that in 2001 there were 1,169,478 children age 5 and under exposed to potentially poisonous substances. In 1999, 29 child dealths from poisonous substances were reported. National Poison Prevention Week was started in 1961 by President Kennedy and annually is the third week of March. Poison Prevention Week is intended to raise awareness of the dangers of unintentional poisonings and to take such preventive measures as the dangers warrant.
It may be hard to tell if a child has swallowed a product since reactions will vary. Your child my vomit or appear sleepy or sluggish. You may be able to smell the product on your child's breath or see some of it around the mouth or on the teeth. There may also be no immediate symptoms. If a child eats or drinks something that may be poisonous, you should call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for information on treatment. They are available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week and are familiar with most household substances or know where to find the information. This phone number should be kept by all phones in the house.
There a some things you can do when a child ingests or you think might have ingested something. First of all, remain calm since not everything is poisonous. When you contact the Poison Control Center be prepared. Having the following information ready for the expert is important:
· The child's age.
· The child's weight.
· Existing health conditions or problems.
· The substance involved and how it contacted the person. For example, was it swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through skin contact, or splashed into the eyes? How
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long ago did they swallow or inhale the substance?
· Any first aid which may have been given.
· If the person has vomited.
· Your location, and how long it will take you to get to the hospital. If medicine has been swallowed, do not give anything by mouth until advised by the Poison Control Center. If chemicals or household products have been swallowed, call the Poison Control Center or follow the first aid instructions on the label.
To help minimize the risk of poisonings, the Poison Prevention Act required that packages be difficult for children under 5 years of age to open or otherwise obtain a toxic amount within a reasonable time. The child-resistant packaging began in 1972. Even with these requirements and educational programs, children are still ingesting household products. If used properly, however, they provide an additional barrier to help prevent ingestions. There are things you can do to help prevent poisonings.
· Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after use.
· Keep all chemicals and medicines locked up and out of sight.
· Call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning.
· When products are in use, never let young children out of your sight, even if you must take the child or product along when answering the phone or doorbell.
· Keep items in original containers.
· Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before using.
· Do not put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them because lamp oil is very toxic.
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